Chaminade Julienne's: Spot Op capstone
Spotlights
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC)
The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company has been a staple of local performing arts since 1968 when it was founded by Jeraldyne Blunden. DCDC focuses its creative expression on the African American experience, and is, “committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage,” (DCDC). The Company is made up of a very impressive group of artists, all of whom have exceptional talent, devotion, and artistic brilliance. The expression and art that result from their combined efforts are incredibly emotive and beautiful to witness. Over the pandemic, DCDC has held virtual performances of “What’s Going On?”, a performance inspired by Marvin Gaye, as well as “Home for the Holidays”. This March, be sure to tune into their program “All About Love”, which is described as, “one part love song and two parts visual story-telling,” (DCDC), and focuses specifically on the Dayton community. To purchase digital tickets and learn more about this spectacular group of artists, visit https://www.dcdc.org/.
Front Street
Located on the corner of Front St. and 2nd St., this organization houses the studios and art of almost fifty imaginative artists. Within its walls, you can find graffiti artists and muralists, metalsmiths, candle makers, glass workers, and so much more. Not only can you purchase unique and diverse pieces of art from a wide variety of studios, but some also offer instructional classes. Additionally, Front Street holds many events. It regularly hosts First Friday and Third Sunday events, in which anyone interested is welcome to attend and visit with artists and vendors, but they also frequently have pop-up events, such as their Trunk Art show scheduled for May 8. Front Street is open 7 days a week, although the hours of different studios may vary. We strongly encourage you to look more into what this great location has to offer! You can find details about specific artists and events at https://frontstreet.art/.
Ben Baugham (Boy Blue)
Ben Baugham, also referred to as Boy Blue, is an extremely talented artist, whose work you may have even seen while wandering around the Oregon District during the summer. His work is well known and frequently found on sidewalks around the area when the weather allows it of course. He creates portraits that are often extremely realistic, colorful, and often surreal from sidewalk chalk! It is quite a unique medium to use, and despite its temporary nature, spotting one of his works in public in such a way always elicits an excited and amazed response. He can often be found working with a smile on his face, a small crowd watching, and a polite and friendly conversation being made. While his chalk work is certainly something to be marveled at, he is also extremely capable and well-rounded in other forms of art. On social media, you can find him exploring various aesthetics and styles in his sketchbook, all of which, despite their differences and range, convey an equal and consistent amount of beauty, detail, and emotion. To find more of his work, we encourage you to visit him at __boy_blue__ on Instagram, or just search his name.
The Black Box Improv Theater
The Black Box Improv Theater has been a gem in the city of Dayton since its foundation in 2012. When the world is not experiencing a pandemic, the theater offers classes for anyone interested in improv, and also holds regular shows to keep Dayton laughing. Improv classes at the theater are of course fun and entertaining, but also have the benefit of establishing good teamwork and communication skills, and no experience is needed to participate! The theater fosters and nourishes a community of support and positivity to give anyone the confidence and joy to perform, whether that be on stage or elsewhere in one’s life. The theater has a long list of extremely comedic and talented performers who work a wide variety of shows. While the theater has not been able to continue shows or classes due to the pandemic, there are still ways to help support the theater, so when they are able to again, they can fill the city with laughs. A GoFundMe is linked to their Instagram (@blackboximprov), and gift cards can be purchased on their website (where you can also learn more about them) at http://daytonblackbox.com/.
Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance is a conglomeration of the Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet, and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, which united forces in 2012. The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance recognizes the transformative and emotional effects that art can have on an individual, and hope to continue providing a diverse collection of creative expression to the local Dayton community. It is also their goal to protect the future and work of performers, which is especially essential during the pandemic. You can find and support the work of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance on their website at https://daytonperformingarts.org. They offer some virtual streams of performances for free, but other membership levels can be purchased as well for more access to virtual streams. On-demand viewing is available for many previous shows, such as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Beethoven 8 and Florence Price”, and Dayton Ballet’s “Dance and Romance”. You can also find information on future live streams, such as the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Dayton Funk: A Tribute to Dayton’s Funk Legacy”, which is set to premiere April 17, which commemorates Dayton as the “World Capital of Funk” and Dayton’s contributions to the genre in the 70s and 80s. Another performance to look out for is “Angel Blue: Opera Star Recital”, in which Angel Blue will perform both a wide variety of opera composers as well as African American spirituals. The Performing Arts Alliance clearly has a lot to offer, and something for anybody and everybody. There is so much to enjoy in the art that they provide, and they proudly make creative expression accessible to everyone while also giving artists a platform of support.
Human Race Theatre Company
Started in 1986, the Human Race Theatre Company is a core piece of Dayton’s rich artistic history. The Theatre strives to provide the community with both traditional performances and more modern or less acknowledged works of art, as is the purpose of their New Works series. Through its many programs, the company clearly values providing accessible entertainment to everyone and uses its positions to give back to the community. One specifically inspiring and wonderful practice of the company, during non-pandemic times that is, is their “Pay What You Can Open Rehearsal”. With a cash donation for a not-for-profit or a non-perishable food item for the food bank as forms of admittance, this event allows for those who may not otherwise be able to afford to be able to attend the theatre access to the company’s latest works before their premiere performance. It is clear that the company has a loving bond to the Dayton community that is integral to their mission, and they have an admirable and devoted commitment to giving back in any way they can. We encourage you to visit them at https://humanracetheatre.org/, where you can keep up-to-date with the company and learn more about them. And, if you are called to do so, you can make a monetary gift to the company to offer your support, so that they can continue to be a light in the local arts.
Magnolia Theatre Company
Originally founded in 2012 in Pennsylvania, the Magnolia Theatre Company is now located in Dayton. The Magnolia Theatre Company has a unique and critical mission to provide a representation of strong women both on stage in their performances and the stories they share as well as offstage in the other roles that are required to bring their work to life, such as administrative, creative, and technical positions. The Magnolia Theatre Company is aware of and recognizes how imperative it is to give women a space. To continue to support the voices of the passionate and dedicated women that make up the Magnolia Theatre Company, check out their website out https://www.magnoliatheatrecompany.com/ and find them on Instagram (@magnolia_theatre_company) and Facebook.
the Mural Machine
The Mural Machine, founded by Tiffany Clark, is responsible for many of the great, mystical, and enchanting murals found throughout almost all corners of the city. The organization was founded in 2014 when Tiffany was hired to complete her first mural, the “Poppy” mural, a commemorative piece brought up as a memorial to those affected by opiate overdoses. It was with this project that she recognized the healing properties and abilities of art. The Mural Machine has done works at the Fairfield Commons with a theme of the history of Dayton, specifically the city’s contributions to aviation, depicted a timeline of the history of Dayton firefighters in downtown Dayton, and a suicide awareness mural, among many other incredibly impactful and beautiful pieces that are a gorgeous stamp on the wonderful city. Through their work, they clearly value the importance of community and history and have remembered to weave these themes intricately into their work. Not only do they share the stunning finished products of their hard work, but they even occasionally invite anyone and everyone (of all experience levels) to join in the fun of working together to create something with their “Community Paint Days.” To learn more about Tiffany Clark and her story, visit her interview with Dayton.com at https://www.dayton.com/entertainment/personalities/meet-the-woman-who-has-created-100-murals-for-dayton/pVpbJHGofNoMU8nlbD8YyH/, and to keep up-to-date with the Mural Machine, visit them on Instagram (@themuralmachine) and Facebook.
Dayton Society of Artists
A piece of Dayton’s art scene for over 80 years, the Dayton Society of Artists was founded in 1938, originally called the Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors. The society is located at 48 High St., with the lower level of the house serving as an art gallery and the upper level as studios. The Dayton Society of Artists strives to be inclusive of all artists, and enjoyers of art, and all forms of art, and embraces the continual need to change and adapt to the needs of others to meet that critical goal. That is why they expanded the range of their community in 2012 when they made the home more accessible with a ramp, and again in 2016 when they changed their name to what it is now to incorporate more artists into their mission. They provide their members with valuable information and resources to further explore their creative interests, such as photography and projection equipment, and books and DVDs on various artistic modes and subjects. To support many local artists that are members of the society, you can purchase works online through their website at https://daytondsa.org/, where you can also learn more about the history of the society, the artists, and upcoming events.
Hue House
Hue House, a local business that can be found in the beautiful blue house on Fifth Street, opened its doors in August of 2020. Despite being a young business, Hue House has already established itself as one of many wonderful small businesses in the Dayton area that contribute to the wonderful community the city has to offer. The store has something for everyone, of all artistic levels and interests, for kids and adults alike. Hue House provides a wide array of papers, sketch books, acrylic paints, water colos, alcohol ink markers, paint brushes, and so much more. Hue House is a great place for artists to find the tools to bring their ideas to life, and encourages everyone to embrace the artist within themselves and explore and experiment with a multitude of mediums. It is a marvelous place to look, whether you want to get started with artistic expression or have lots of experience already! You can explore their website at http://www.huehousedayton.com/, and be sure to follow them on Instagram (@huehousedayton) and Facebook to keep updated on deals, new products, hours, and more!